Newcastle Eagles have completed a double signing as they continue to build their roster for the new season.

Newcastle Eagles have completed a double signing as they continue to build their roster for the new season.

Forward Charles Smith and back-up guard Andrew Bridge have both committed themselves to another season on Tyneside.

And a deal to bring shooting guard Jeremy Hyatt back to the Eagles is now a formality, with the paperwork completed and only remaining to be signed.

The news that Smith has been retained is a major boost for the Eagles.

Although he averaged 13.68 points and 5.08 rebounds last season, the stats don't tell the whole story.

Smith, hampered by a passport wrangle and fitness problems, made a slow start to the season, but his progress was such that he was arguably the Eagles' most influential player down the stretch.

His importance to the team was summed up by coach Fab Flournoy when he said: "Charles is our instant offence because he can score from all areas of the floor."

Bridge will hope to continue to with the progress he made last season after making the switch from Sheffield Sharks to act as back-up to point guard TJ Walker.

Meanwhile, the Eagles' recruitment options were narrowed today when forward Justin Phoenix committed himself to another season with Sheffield.

The Evening Chronicle revealed three weeks ago that Phoenix had contacted the Eagles to sound out a move to Tyneside.

As a non-work permit player, Phoenix would have replaced Canadian perimeter shooter Andrew Mavis on the roster - a move which would have given the Eagles a much greater inside presence.

"Justin has just moved his family from Leeds to Sheffield and that has probably played a large part in his decision," said Eagles managing director Paul Blake.

The Eagles must now decide on whether to bring back Mavis or look at other options - and the question of Ian Whyte's future comes into the equation.

"We could be looking at changing our priorities on the non-work permit slot," added Blake.

"We could use some of the funds put aside for that position and from Ian's position to look more seriously at bringing in a senior English player.

"But we will only consider doing that if Ian tells us he is not going to be available this season."

The former England international has already indicated that he may retire to concentrate on establishing the sports management company he has set up over the summer.

NBRIGHTON BEARS' coach Nick Nurse has made his first signing of the summer, with the capture of English forward Philip Perre.

Perre, 24, joins the Bears after spending last season with the Scottish Rocks, whom he helped to BBL Championship Play-off glory and Coach Nurse believes he will make an impact for Brighton both domestically and as they take on European competition in the ULEB Cup.